News in Shorts: 17 February 2026

SAHI and BODH AI for Health

Context: The Union Health Minister launched SAHI and BODH at the India AI Summit 2026 to strengthen responsible AI adoption in India’s healthcare system.

About Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India (SAHI)

• SAHI is a national guidance framework designed to enable safe, ethical, evidence-based and inclusive adoption of Artificial Intelligence across India’s healthcare ecosystem.
• Features
  • Provides strategic direction on governance, data stewardship, validation, deployment and continuous monitoring of AI solutions.
  • Aligns AI adoption with national and state-level public health priorities.
  • Promotes responsible innovation through regulatory clarity and institutional support.
  • Encourages capacity building for states and healthcare institutions.
• Significance
  • Establishes a structured roadmap for integrating AI into public health delivery.
  • Strengthens accountability, patient safety and ethical compliance in digital health technologies.
  • Supports India’s ambition to build a globally competitive Health AI ecosystem.

About Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH)

• BODH is a privacy-preserving benchmarking platform developed by IIT Kanpur in collaboration with the National Health Authority to evaluate Health AI models.
• Features
  • Enables rigorous testing of AI models using diverse, real-world datasets without sharing raw data.
  • Functions as a digital public good under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
  • Ensures privacy protection through secure evaluation architecture.
• Significance
  • Enhances trust, transparency and quality assurance in AI-based healthcare solutions.
  • Facilitates evidence-based validation before large-scale deployment.
  • Strengthens India’s digital health governance framework.

PM RAHAT Scheme

Context: The Government of India has launched the PM RAHAT Scheme to provide cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims.

About PM Road Accident Victim Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM RAHAT Scheme)

• PM RAHAT is a national scheme approved by the Prime Minister to ensure immediate, cashless medical treatment for road accident victims.
• Beneficiaries: Every eligible road accident victim on any category of road is entitled to cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person.
  • It is applicable for road accident victims across India for up to seven days from the date of the accident.
• Administered By: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in coordination with the National Health Authority and State authorities.
• Emergency Access: It is integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112, enabling victims and Good Samaritans to access ambulance and hospital services quickly.
• Funding: Hospitals are reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).
  Reimbursement:
  • In insured cases, payments are drawn from contributions by general insurance companies.
  • In uninsured or hit-and-run cases, payments are made through government budgetary support.

Key Features

• Digital Integration: The scheme integrates the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform with the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) for streamlined processing.
• Grievance Redressal: It will be addressed by a Grievance Redressal Officer nominated by the District Road Safety Committee chaired by the District Collector /Magistrate.

Significance

• The scheme strengthens emergency trauma care, reduces preventable deaths during the “golden hour,” ensures financial certainty for hospitals, and promotes a citizen-first approach to road safety governance.
  • The Golden Hour refers to the first one hour after a road accident, during which prompt medical treatment significantly increases the chances of survival and reduces the severity of injuries.
  • Studies indicate that nearly 50% of road accident deaths can be averted if victims are admitted to hospital within the first hour.

Winter Economy

Context: The winter economy has become the poster child for China’s stimulus tilt to services.

About the Winter Economy

• The winter economy refers to the economic activities and consumption generated during the winter season, centered around ice and snow resources.
• In China, this concept has rapidly evolved from a niche market into a significant economic driver, now recognized as a national priority for growth .
  • Officially termed the “ice and snow economy,” it was highlighted at the 2024 Central Economic Work Conference as a key growth sector.
• Core Pillars: While early concepts focused on warm clothing and hot food , it now centers on four pillars:
  • Winter sports & tourism: Ski resorts, ice festivals, skating.
  • Indoor facilities: Artificial snow parks for year-round access.
  • Supporting services: Hotels, dining, transport, “night economy” extensions.
  • Cultural integration: Ice sculptures, events, and lifestyle activities.
• Beyond Tourism: It fuels growth in manufacturing (snowmaking machines, apparel, robotics), services (hospitality, events), and even cold-weather auto testing .

Piton de la Fournaise

Context: The Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island has been highly active in 2026, marking its return after a period of relative quiet, after a new seismic crisis beneath the summit.

About Piton de la Fournaise

• Piton de la Fournaise (French for “Peak of the Furnace”) is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
• Location: Situated on Réunion Island (an overseas territory of France) in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar.
• Type of Volcano: It is a shield volcano formed by fluid basaltic lava flow with a broad, gently sloping profile.
• Tectonic Setting: Formed due to a hotspot (mantle plume) beneath the African Plate.
• Caldera & Crater: Main summit crater is Dolomieu Crater, located within the larger Enclos Fouqué caldera.
• UNESCO Status: Part of the “Pitons, Cirques and Remparts of Réunion Island” which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 2010).

Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPL)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court directed FSSAI to consider mandatory front-of-package warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

• The court asked FSSAI to examine the mandatory front-of-package warning labels (FOPL) and file its response within four weeks, emphasising citizens’ right to health.

About Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPL)

• FOPL are prominent health warnings displayed on packaged foods to alert consumers about high levels of sugar, salt, or saturated fats.
  • Countries such as Chile, Mexico, and Israel have adopted mandatory front-of-package warning label systems to combat obesity and noncommunicable diseases
• Key Features
  • Simple and visible warning symbols on the front of packaging.
  • Explicit disclosure of high sugar, salt, or saturated fat content.
  • Designed for easy consumer understanding without technical interpretation.
• Rationale Behind FOPL
  • Rising incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases linked to unhealthy diets.
  • Need to enable informed consumer choices at the point of purchase.
  • Address misleading health claims on ultra-processed foods.
  • Align India with global best practices in public health regulation.
• Significance: FOPL strengthens consumer awareness, promotes healthier dietary choices, and reinforces the constitutional right to health through preventive public health regulation.

About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• FSSAI is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Role: FSSAI regulates and supervises food safety standards in India to ensure safe and wholesome food for consumers.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Functions:
  • It frames regulations on food labelling, additives, packaging, and quality standards
  • It grants licences to food businesses and conducts inspections.
  • It also promotes public awareness about food safety and nutrition.
  • It also coordinates with State authorities for enforcement.
  • It also undertakes scientific risk assessment through expert committees.

Governance of FSSAI

• The FSSAI consists of a Chairperson and twenty-two members, with one-third of the members being women.
• The Chairperson of FSSAI is appointed by the Central Government.
• It is assisted by Scientific Committees and Panels in setting standards and the Central Advisory Committee in coordinating with enforcement agencies.

G4 Meet for UN Reform

Context: At the 2026 Munich Security Conference, India and G4 nations renewed their coordinated push for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms.

About G4 Meeting on UN Security Council Reforms

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met counterparts from Japan, Germany, and Brazil to advance reforms of the United Nations Security Council.
• The G4 emphasised that a reformed and expanded UNSC is necessary to enhance the legitimacy, representativeness, and effectiveness of the United Nations amid rising global instability.

About G4

• The G4 was formed in 2005 by India, Japan, Germany, and Brazil to advocate permanent membership for its members in a reformed UNSC.
• The grouping does not have a permanent headquarters, as it is an informal diplomatic coalition;
• G4 reform negotiations primarily take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
• Key G4 Demands and Proposals
  • Permanent Membership: The G4 seeks permanent seats for India, Japan, Germany, and Brazil, arguing that the post-World War II UNSC structure no longer reflects present-day geopolitical realities.
  • Expansion Model: It proposes expanding the Council to 25–26 members by adding six permanent seats, including two for African nations.
  • Veto Reform: The G4 has shown flexibility by suggesting new permanent members may defer veto use until a review 15 years after reform.
  • Regional Representation: The grouping advocates enhanced representation for Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America to improve legitimacy and inclusiveness.

About the Munich Security Conference

• It is Often referred to as the ‘Davos of Defence’.
• The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is an annual international forum dedicated to discussing and addressing critical security and foreign policy matters.
• Purpose: It facilitates dialogue and debate among political leaders, policymakers, military officials, experts, and civil society representatives.
• Evolution of the Conference:
  • It was founded by a German official and publisher, Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist, at the peak of the Cold War.
  • Originating in 1963, the MSC has emerged as a pivotal event in international security.
  • The Conference was Held in Munich, Germany.

India’s Strategic Autonomy

• India’s EAM stated that decisions, including in the energy sector, are guided by national interest rather than alignment with any geopolitical bloc.
• He also held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Canada, France, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine, focusing on conflict developments and trade.
• He reiterated support for the UN@80 reform agenda in discussions with G7 members.

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